We visited Trapani in March during our Sicily road trip and really enjoyed its laid-back, local feel. It’s not a city packed with big attractions like Palermo, but that’s exactly the charm. Think slow afternoons by the port, great seafood restaurants, and a few pretty streets to wander. It’s also a fantastic base for visiting the Egadi Islands, Erice, and Scopello. Here are our favorite things to do in Trapani!
Things to do in Trapani
1. Historic Center of Trapani
Welcome to the Centro Storico of Trapani, the area where we found the nicest Italian townhouses and buildings. There’s a real local feel here; it’s not as touristy as other Sicilian cities we visited, probably because most people just come here to catch the ferry to the islands.
Here are some of our favorite spots:
- Chiesa delle Anime Sante del Purgatorio: Beautiful baroque church with an emerald-tiled dome.
- Cathedral of San Lorenzo: Not as beautiful as other cathedrals we saw on the island, but definitely worth a look.
- Palazzo della Giudecca: A unique stone palace with a staggered stone tower and a green courtyard outside.
- Bastione Conca: A long promenade that follows the seafront and ends at the Tower of Ligny. We loved this spot at sunset!
- Fountain of Saturn: There’s a legend that the sky god Saturn created the city. This fountain in his name is set in a pretty location surrounded by terracotta buildings.
- Via Garibaldi: Our favorite spot in town for an aperitivo! There are loads of great bars and restaurants on this main street.
- Piazza Mercato del Pesce: Because of the city’s port location, seafood is incredibly fresh here. We visited this fish market first thing in the morning and watched the vendors unloading dawn’s catch.
2. Visit the Salt Marshes
We learned that salt is actually one of Trapani’s most famous ingredients! Close to town, there are spectacular salt marshes with a long history dating back to Roman times.
It was really interesting to learn more about salt production from the local businesses here. But it’s also just a really beautiful place to visit; there are colorful fields in shades of white, pink, and orange, dotted with piles of salt as far as the eye can see, and loads of unique bird species.
3. Explore the Egadi Islands
The main reason we visited Trapani (like most people) was to visit the Egadi Islands, considered one of Italy’s best-kept secrets. There are three main islands: Favignana, Levanzo, and Marettimo, home to dramatic cliffs, mountainous landscapes, and the bluest, crystal-clear waters we’ve ever seen!
Getting to the Egadi Islands
Regular ferry services leave from Trapani to the islands and take approximately 30 minutes, depending on which island you visit. Alternatively, join a small organized tour that includes return transportation, drinks, and activities.
Where to Stay
We just visited the smaller islands of Levanzo and Marettimo for the day. But if you have time, you could stay on the biggest island, Favignana, for a couple of days to get the most out of its fantastic beaches, hiking trails, and biking routes.
Tip: Please note that out of the summer season, many accommodations and restaurants will be closed.
4. Lo Zingaro Nature Reserve (Best thing to do in Trapani)
One of our favorite things to do in Trapani was the stunning Lo Zingaro Nature Reserve. This breathtaking area of natural beauty was once part of a highway development project, but luckily, it was stopped, and is now a protected natural area.
We visited in Spring (March) when the reserve was full of flowers, birds, and horses. The hike between Scopello and San Vito Lo Capo is particularly nice, with beautiful beaches along the way: Cala dell’Uzzo, Cala Marinella, and Cala Capreria.
Note: You can complete the full hike in 4-6 hours over 13.5 kilometers. There are no steep inclines, and the gravel path is doable for most people, but it wouldn’t be suitable for strollers.
How to Visit Zingaro Nature Reserve
We had a rental car and drove 1 hour from Trapani. However, there are boat tours that visit the beaches within the Zingaro Nature Reserve (these normally depart from San Vito Lo Capo).
We recommend to rent a car in Sicily through Sunny Cars with free cancellation and insurance included. Book your rental car here.
Entrance Fee and Opening Times
It costs 5 EUR per person to enter the park. Opening times vary depending on the season, so it’s best to check ahead. When we visited, you could access the park from both the North and South entrance (closer to Trapani), but sometimes one or the other may be closed.
Tip: Travel plastic-free by taking a refillable water bottle; you can refill this for free inside the park!
5. Scopello (Tonnara di Scopello)
This ancient seaside village and tuna fishery was one of the most jaw-droppingly beautiful spots we visited in Sicily. The sparkling blue waters and rocky surroundings were once accessible only by boat to tuna fishermen. These days, there’s an open-air museum documenting the fascinating history of this ancient spot.
- Open-air museum: Learn about the history of tuna fishing and the ancient weaving methods for the nets. We loved the original boats on show! Only open on weekends from 10 AM – 6 PM for a limited number of people. We recommend arriving early to avoid disappointment.
- Small beach: We visited in March and just paddled in the shallows. But in summer, there are parasols and refreshments. During this time, you’re not allowed to bring your own food and drink.
Where to Stay
We only visited for the day, but there are several hotels here, including this famous hotel, which really looks like a slice of heaven. (book your stay here).
6. San Vito Lo Capo
San Vito Lo Capo is a fishing village-turned-resort town famous for its white-sand beach (considered the best in all of Italy!). We didn’t swim when we came, but it would be amazing in the summer, and the views of the enormous rock, Monte Monaco, are really impressive.
We visited on a day trip from Trapani (a 45-minute drive), but it would also be a great place to stay for a few days on your Sicily road trip. There are plenty of restaurants, shops, and great accommodations.
Tip: The north entrance of Zingaro nature reserve is not far from here, so maybe combine a day of hiking with a stop at this beach. (Make sure to check that this entrance is open before your visit)
7. Temple of Segesta
On your way back from San Vito Lo Capo or Scopello, make a detour to the stunning Temple of Segesta. This ancient Greek temple is one of the best-preserved of its kind and perches on a hilltop in a meadow surrounded by wildflowers.
It was actually designed by a Greek architect from Athens all the way back in 420 BC! You can even find the remains of an ancient amphitheater here.
Entry fee: 6 EUR + 2 EUR for a round-trip shuttle bus to get to the theater. We took the bus because the walk is quite uphill from the parking area. If you don’t have your own rental car, you can also join this popular Segesta tour from Palermo (see tickets and availability here).
8. Erice
Towering over Trapani is the medieval hilltop village of Erice. After the lack of tourists in Trapani, we did find Erice quite busy, but it’s popular for good reason! There is a majestic castle and surrounding gardens, which offer fantastic views over the ocean and Trapani.
You can visit Erice by cable car from the foot of the mountain on the outskirts of Trapani (high season only). It only takes 10 minutes, and there are incredible views the whole journey!
You can find the full timetable for the cable car here. This is the exact location of the start point.
We visited just before the cable car opened for the spring/summer season, so we drove up the steep, curvy road to the top, which took around 30 minutes. Please note that in the summer, it’s a very popular spot, so parking in town will be limited.
Did you know? While Erice is mostly sunny, its high-altitude location means it is occasionally shrouded in fog. This is known by the locals as ‘the kisses of Venus’. One moment you’re covered by clouds and mist, only for the sun to return minutes later.
9. Trip to Bunker de San Cataldo
If Palermo is next on your Sicily road trip, we recommend stopping at this unique spot we found along the way: Bunker de San Cataldo. This ancient abandoned bunker was built into the face of the rocky cliff during World War II.
Note: There are stairs from the bunker that lead down to the water. Please don’t swim, as the water is very polluted from industrial spills.
Getting there
The bunker is located at Cala Muletti, close to the more well-known San Cataldo Bay. The exact location is here. It takes around 50 minutes to reach the bunker from Trapani by car (there are no public transport options).
We recommend to rent a car in Sicily through Sunny Cars with free cancellation and insurance included. Book your rental car here.
- We parked at this location
- Walk down to the beach, and turn right at the bottom
- Follow the cliffside along an overgrown gravel path and an abandoned building (approximately a 5-minute walk)
This walk definitely isn’t the safest, as rocks may fall from the cliffs. We also wouldn’t recommend visiting with children because some parts of the path were pretty sketchy.
Caletta di Paternella
The beautiful beach of Caletta di Paternella is not far from the bunker, just a 20-minute walk along the seafront or a 15-minute drive. It’s remote and sheltered by rocks that make the water extra clear and turquoise.
Best Restaurants and Cafes
We ate the freshest seafood on our whole trip while in Trapani! It’s a port town, so a lot of fishing is going on here, and the local fish market is really brilliant. Strangely, we also found out it’s famous for cous cous and even hosts an annual cous cous festival. Here are some of our favorite spots to grab a bite:
- La Bettolaccia
- Taverna dei corsari
- Botteghelle Enoteca
- Antichi Sapori
- Al Vicoletto
- II Brucaliffo
- La Santa Muerte
- La Tavernetta
- La Pergola
- Al Solito Posto
Tip: Restaurants in Sicily don’t open before 7 PM, and Trapani is no exception. It’s more local than most places, and most people don’t eat until around 9 PM. We recommend booking in advance, as Google Maps’ opening times are often incorrect.
Where to Stay in Trapani
Trapani is very small, so you can stay anywhere and be within walking distance of the main things to do. We stayed in the historical center at Hotel San Michele, where there are the most beautiful buildings and excellent restaurants. (Book your room here)
If you’re looking for ocean views, it’s better to stay in beachside locations like Marausa, just a 15-minute drive from Trapani city center.
Tip: We found parking in Trapani quite difficult. It’s better to park your car on the fringes of the city and walk in, or book accommodation a bit further outside.
How to Visit Trapani
Trapani does have its own airport, which mainly operates domestic flights to other cities in Italy, although Ryanair also offers some flights to other European destinations during the high season.
For more flight options, fly into Catania airport (the largest on the island) or Palermo.
We recommend getting a rental car to explore the surroundings, but Trapani also has a train station connecting the city to many other towns in Sicily. (Book your train tickets for your trip in advance)
We recommend to rent a car in Sicily through Sunny Cars with free cancellation and insurance included. Book your rental car here.
How Much Does Trapani Cost?
As Trapani is a smaller, more local city, we found the costs much lower than in other destinations, especially the delicious, fresh meals we had! We visited in March, so prices were even lower; accommodation prices in summer would likely be higher.
Best Time to Visit Trapani
We loved visiting Trapani in Spring (March), because the nature reserves were full of flowers and wildlife. We got lucky with the weather and had warm, sunny days, with very few tourists. That said, many attractions and restaurants were closed at this time, so it might be better to wait until May if you want more atmosphere/food options.
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